Growth of the Young Male Rat in a Hyperoxic Environment

摘要

Young male rats were maintained continuously in a hyperoxic environment for periods up to 8 weeks. During this time, the animals were subjected to an oxygen partial pressure of 369 mm. Hg (97.1%) at a simulated altitude of 380 mm. Hg (18,000 ft). The parameters chosen to delineate growth and development in the rat were: total body weight gain; weight gain of the liver, kidney, testis, spleen, lung, adrenal, heart, and brain; deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), and protein content of these organs; incorporation of 14C-leucine into liver protein; and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isozymes. In spite of the changes reported in the text, the animals grew well in this atmosphere; however, it should be noted that several fundamental changes were observed in the growth and development on the cellular level. (Author)